The German Earworm
The German Earworm is a podcast where an American expat dives into Germany's wildest, weirdest and catchiest songs-from party schlager to rock anthems you've never heard.
Each week (usually Tuesday), discover the tracks that get stuck in German heads (and maybe yours, too).
Episodes
13 episodes
So Ein Schöner Tag: The Flight of Germany’s Happiest Earworm
Welcome to The German Earworm—your favorite deep dive into the music that gets stuck in Germany’s collective head. Today we’re clapping our hands with your host Mike, waving our arms, and flapping our imaginary wings to one of th...
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Episode 13
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8:42
Major Tom: The Astronaut Who Floated Into German Pop History
What happens when a fictional astronaut from a British rock song gets reborn as the hero of a German synth-pop anthem? In this episode of The German Earworm, we’re blasting off into the stratosphere with “Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst...
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8:30
Layla: Ballermann, Bans, and the Biggest German Earworm of the Decade
What happens when a simple party song ignites a nationwide controversy? In this episode, The German Earworm dives deep into “Layla,” the infectious and polarizing schlager anthem by DJ Robin & Schürze that dominated Germany’...
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Episode 11
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10:01
Just One Word – Wir sind Helden and the Sound of Unspoken Truths
In this episode of The German Earworm, we dive deep into one of the most memorable German pop anthems of the 2000s: “Nur ein Wort” by Wir sind Helden.What makes this song so enduring? Is it the infectious chorus yo...
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Episode 10
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10:19
“Leiser” by LEA
In this episode of The German Earworm, we take you on an immersive, hour-long journey into one of the most compelling German pop songs of the last decade: “Leiser” by the acclaimed singer-songwriter LEA. Whether you’re a ...
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Episode 9
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9:36
Liebficken: Sofaplanet’s NSFW Love Song
What happens when a little-known German band drops a song with one of the most explicit titles in pop history—and it becomes an unexpected earworm? In this episode, we dive deep into Sofaplanet’s infamous 2003 hit “Liebficken,” a track...
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Episode 8
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12:53
North Sea Nostalgia: The Story of An der Nordseeküste
Set sail for the salty breezes and rollicking refrains of Germany’s northern coast! In this episode of The German Earworm, we dive deep into the irresistibly catchy classic An der Nordseeküste by Klaus & Klaus.From ...
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Episode 7
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9:25
Zehn kleine Jägermeister – Punk, Parody, and Provocation
Get ready to count down… to chaos. In this episode of The German Earworm, we unravel the story behind Die Toten Hosen’s unforgettable hit “Zehn kleine Jägermeister.” Released in 1996, this slyly subversive anthem topped...
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Episode 6
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9:49
“Die Da!?!” – Die Fantastischen Vier
In this episode of The German Earworm, we rewind to 1992 to uncover the story behind one of Germany’s most iconic and surprising chart-toppers: “Die Da!?!” by Die Fantastischen Vier.What happens when four frien...
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Episode 5
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8:44
Jesus Walks... Into a Satire
Get ready for a deep dive into one of the strangest earworms ever to grace the German charts. In this episode, your host Alex unpacks the bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly catchy 1995 novelty song “Jesus” by the comedy duo Die Doof...
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Episode 4
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8:39
Lieder: The Songs That Built Adel Tawil
In this episode, we unpack one of Germany’s most beloved pop anthems of the 2010s: “Lieder” by Adel Tawil. Part autobiography, part mixtape, this track is a nostalgic journey through the songs that shaped a life—and a generation.J...
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Episode 3
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12:04
Wackelkontakt – A Loose Connection That’s Electrifying Germany
Why is all of Germany humming about a flickering 70s lamp? In this episode of The German Earworm, we shine a bright (but wobbly) light on “Wackelkontakt,” the runaway hit by Bavarian songwriter Oimara.Mike takes you on a ...
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Episode 2
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12:31
Disco Pogo: Germany’s Wildest Party Anthem (with a Bloodhound Gang Twist)
Get ready to bounce, because this week on The German Earworm, we’re diving headfirst into Disco Pogo by Die Atzen — the outrageous track that took Germany’s party scene by storm.Mike, an American expat who’s spent 15 year...
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Episode 1
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13:49